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Yesterday, I sat in on the latest of expert conference calls. This time, it was Todd McShay of ESPN. Talk all you want about The Worldwide Leader and their oversaturation, yelling and bias, McShay and Mel Kiper know their stuff inside and out.

Made for an interesting (as draft nerdery goes) hour of Q&A between McShay and reporters. As is the case every year, the topic of quarterbacks dominated the conversation. And this year, the Bengals are in on it. I've said it many times before and will continue to do so, I think Day 2 of the draft is the most important of the Bengals offseason. It will provide the best insight to the biggest question of the offseason: How much are the Bengals buying into Andy Dalton?

The earlier the QB pick, the bigger the insurance policy. Also, the bigger the bargaining chip. With a deep crop of second tier quarterbacks the question is which would be the best fit for the Bengals and which won't be around come picks 55 and 88.

To pre-answer your question, no, I just don't see the Bengals springing for a QB at No. 24. That includes if Teddy Bridgewater slides there. Too many other players will be available with better fit, talent and ability to make an impact than a quarteback who has a good chance to never see the field in Cincinnati. If they did shock the world and go QB then it would present the exact opposite message the team has relayed inwardly and outwardly regarding Dalton.

I'll be offering CostCo-sized servings of this topic next week, but for now, here's comment from McShay on a few of the leading candidates:

Todd McShay on UGA QB Aaron Murray (who injured his ACL late in the season):

"From everything I understand talking to guys in the league with medical it's so far, so good and there is not really much long term concern with that knee. Now, obviously, strengths and weaknesses of his game his Lack of ideal size is a little bit of a concern. He has an adequate arm but his ball dies on deep outs. He had a great season. He improved throwing the ball under pressure. I really gained a lot of respect for him this past year, the toughness he showed, the leadership he showed hanging in there when his team had no chance to win in games and just continuing to fight and keeping his team in games they had no business remaining in with everybody that was injured around him. I think a lot of people around the league gained a lot of respect for him. He's a player where there are a few coaches, scouts and decision-makers that really like him. Probably best case third round, be surprised if he got past fourth round, so somewhere in that range."

MY TAKE: The Georgia connection. It's very real and proven to repeat every year. They've taken a UGA player in Round 3 or 4 in each of the last four drafts (Geno Atkins, Clint Boling, Orson Charles, Shawn Williams). Murray in Round 3 would fall right into that sweet spot of trusted sources at a school, proven tape and team need.

McShay on Pitt QB Tom Savage:

"More tape I watched the more I began to appreciate how tough he was. The instincts he was showing in the pocket. The Ability to anticipate throws and accurately spot the ball down the field. Over and over again you start see a guy making NFL throws and making throws you have to make on the NFL level. He was a tougher evaluation because early you see a lot of failure. You see question marks in terms of his past and off the field and intangibles, but as I kept digging and talking to guys around the league who spent time looking ingot he background, clearly he matured a lot. He's got some challenging situations in his life but he's a guy that has grown up a great deal. I respect what he's gone through, I respect he didn't make the best decisions but knows that. You talk about someone who is 6-4, 228, moves better than his 40 time would indicate, has a big time arm and is showing he can make all the throws to me it's a great developmental opportunity for a team that has a great quarterback coach. I gave him a fringe second, third round grade. All these grades get pushed up with the quarterbacks. It won't surprise me at all if Savage is off the board in the first 40 picks."

MY TAKE: I don't see the Bengals stretching for him in the second at all. If for some reason he slipped and was still there at 55, they would have a decision to make. All indications are that won't be the case. Savage would be an unlikely fit for Cincinnati.

McShay on the Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas:

"Logan Thoams has got rare ability. If it wasn't for the accuracy, which unfortunately for him is the most important physical trait that you have as a quarterback. He's elite in every other area. From size to arm strength to mobility to competitiveness, intangibles, work ethic. The kid is a stud. He's just not naturally accurate and he's working on it like crazy. If he can ever develop to be even above average I think he's got a chance to be a real steal in this draft. It's a big time projection and long-term developmental project."

MY TAKE: An interesting name to watch. Should QBs bump up and the Bengals not take one on Day 2, a fourth-round pick on Thomas could be a possibility -- if he's still there 123. He would pose little threat to Dalton as a project, but with a year or two under Ken Zampese, could allow future security. Unlikely, but worth keeping an eye on in Day 3.

TWITTER QUESTION OF THE DAY

@pauldehnerjr any truth to #Bengals trading Dalton (last yr of deal) %26 swapping picks to a team in the top ten to get Bortles or Manziel??

Since the Enquirer photo archives are vast, I'm going to start a Throwback Thursday on the blog each week pulling from the last 20 years of Bengals photos. If you have a year you'd like to see featured, tweet (@pauldehnerjr), email (pdehnerjr@enquirer.com) or chase after me in the least crazy way possible on the street (hand waving preferred).

Today, I'm pulling from 1998. And yes, that's Ickey Woods and then Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus doing the Ickey Shuffle at the groundbreaking for PBS in April. Somebody get Bob a football!

Ickey Woods and then Hamilton County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus do the Ickey Shuffle at the groundbreaking for PBS in April of 1998.(Photo: Tony Jones/Enquirer Archive)